post script: I wrote this piece last year and I chose to post it again this year, however, I refined it a bit. An edit here and an edit there – one year after the fact with fresh eyes and a few years of writing poetry under my belt (or shall I say under my tutu:)

I performed in the Nutcracker for 10 years. The first two I was a party girl and bunny (I actually danced with Sarah Jessica Parker:) – the second two years I was Clara and the remaining years I was a snowflake, flower, reed pipe and poodle (one of the dancing dolls from the first act.) Everything I wrote is real and actually happened.

Wow, that must have been a blast!!!!
Can you believe I have never been to a real ballet? Fact. And I get to Chicago about once a year for the past 10+ years, still no ballet. I might need to make plans for it next time. 🙂

though I live in Chicago, I do not dance here. My dancing days are long gone. Another lifetime ago. you should go to a ballet at least once in your life – The Nutcracker is the most recognizable, meaning the story is not difficult to follow and the music is certainly familiar.

Yeh, right. If I execute a pirouette, it will be standing on one leg, half pointe and the other in passé (picture and inverted 4). And it will be at least a triple. Leaps and turns were my specialty. 💃

There is a palpable joy when you talk about dancing and no question that you have wonderfully fond memories. What a blessing to have the talent and drive to hone that talent in such a beautiful and creative way. Too many times talent is wasted and squandered. And think about what you said for a second….You have been where few living creatures have been, Heaven. 🙂 Pretty damn sweet.

12.ahhsioux | December 16, 2014 at 2:29 pm

A favorite!! Thank you.
I have a favorite “Nutcracker” haunt that I must attend each Christmas Season.
Smiles.

*goosebumps* I have always wanted to be a ballet dancer, Kimberly, and to know you got to dance in the Nutcracker, gives me such great JOY. How cool! I really enjoyed this poem as well. Perhaps next life we dance together! (((HUGS))) Amy

I’m going to the Nutcracker this year, and one of my good friend’s has a daughter who will perform. Yeah!! Years of work for her to get there, and not as Clara. 🙂 I am so excited!!! What is it about that particular ballet that never loses its magic? I am so jealous you danced like that. Sigh of longing for my lost youth. I will just have to boogie-woogie in the kitchen. LOL

I performed in the Nutcracker for 10 years. Amongst other ballets. Yes, a lot of hard work. I am obviously on the opposite end of the spectrum, meaning I had my career and I look back…it was worth it. All the ‘stuff’ was worth it. Because when I stood on the stage with a full symphony orchestra at my feet under the lights and the smell of makeup and rosin and sweat and bloody toes – I was in heaven. For me, this was heaven.

I knew it must have been that you were Clara at one point in your life for we ballerinas always dream of being Clara. I am so happy you actually were able to dance this part and not just dream about it! Your poem had me right there in the moment with each stanza. I am so glad you reposted it so that I was able to go back and remember my younger ballet days which are no longer. Thank you. There is something so special about connecting today with your poem. Thank you. ♥

I am very happy you enjoyed this piece – i am always very nostalgic at this time of year – for me the holidays were The Nutcracker. They were the best holidays I ever experienced. I miss them – so every year I travel back in time…I will be re-posting more – a collection of pieces I wrote last year for the ballet. thank you again:)

I can’t wait to read them b/c as a ballerina, I remember how the holidays became even more magical at that time…it was your blistered toes etc that made that poem so real to me. Funny how we forget as we get older, but truly, your poem brought me right back to childhood ballet classes which I adored. Thanks for being such a great writer and sharing!